ITU has opened bidding for the 2016 World Triathlon Series, the 2018 World Triathlon Grand Final and 2015 World Paratriathlon Events to all National Federations and cities interested in hosting the premier races.
“World Triathlon Series and ITU events are garnering more interest than ever before, as evidenced by a record number of races on the 2015 World Triathlon Series schedule,” ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado said. “As we head into the next two years ahead of the Olympics, we anticipate that exposure for athletes, cities and the sport of triathlon to grow even more.”
The ITU World Triathlon Series is the premier triathlon circuit in the world and features the top triathletes racing head-to-head in cities around the globe. In addition to competing for the title of World Champion, athletes vie for a total prize purse of approximately $2-million USD, the greatest cumulative prize money in triathlon.
The Series is comprised of standard and sprint distance events, with one race also selected to host the Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships. Additionally, several stops on the 2016 circuit will serve as final opportunities for athletes to garner crucial Olympic qualifying points ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The World Triathlon Series creates an immediate economic impact for cities by bringing thousands of race participants and their families to a city, with the Grand Final attracting even more triathletes over a week of action.
Each race will also be broadcast live to an international audience, in addition to offering a 52-minute highlight show as well as live internet coverage, social media exposure and worldwide news distribution for race hosts.
In preparation for paratriathlon’s debut at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games, ITU will continue to offer elite competition for paratriathletes of all sport classes at World Paratriathlon Events around the world. Paratriathletes gain points at each race to qualify for berths to the World Championships, which is held in conjunction with the World Triathlon Series Grand Final.
World Paratriathlon Events are held on every continent and may coincide with a World Triathlon Series event or exist as a stand-alone independent race. The events hosted after 1 July, 2015 will become especially important as they will offer 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games qualification points.
Cities interested in hosting a World Triathlon Series or World Paratriathlon Event must submit bid documents in conjunction with their respective National Federations.
Click here to download the bid documents for the three opportunities